Compact Flash to USB adapter card - Will it work with Cellphones??

bayouman · 02-18-03, 03:15 PM

Have a question for any experts out there. Currently I use a Sprint Sanyo 4900 cellphone connected to my laptop via a usb cable, to access the internet when I am away from home. I want to do this using a PocketPC as well, but haven't been able to because the Sanyo 4900 is usb only, no serial connections. But now a company named Ratco has come out with a Compact Flash to USB Host card. This means that basically any type of USB storage drive (USB Harddrives) could be connected to our PocketPCs and used to store movies, mp3's, programs, you name it!!! It also from what I understands turns the PocketPC into a USB host device, not just a periphial. If this is correct then the posibilities are endless. Does anybody have experience in this area or think this would work with the cellphone????? If it will then I have to get Sanyo to make drivers for the PocketPC. If it helps I will be using a Dell Axim5. Somebody give me some feedback or tell me what you think.

http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/...ges/cfu1u.html

Clay

commoved · 02-18-03, 07:26 PM

USB host, yes. That's the first step. The next step is drivers, possible software incompatibilities .... Do you remember when USB first came out? Not that it won't work, but I would proceed with some caution. Ask the vendor. And make sure you can return the card.

ac3 · 02-19-03, 04:39 AM

You might also want to check www.thesupplynet.com for a cell to pda cable. They are now producing these cables for the Axim, showing March 17th as a release date.
Although my Samsung cell is not listed (it's also a usb only model), I have e-mailed them, and they claim to be working on this particular cable...so I suppose that there will also be more for other brand phones.

exidous · 03-02-03, 10:14 PM

ac3

i also called thesupplynet.com and they told me the same thing. but however the axim is a usb device and my samsung cell phone is a usb device (SCH-A310) this kind of cable would not work if they did make one. the only chance us guys that want true "mobility freedom" with our cell phones and axims is to either buy a older cell phone with serial cables or wait out and see if this CF usb host card works. "hoping"

ac3 · 03-03-03, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by exidous
ac3

but however the axim is a usb device and my samsung cell phone is a usb device

According to what they told me, and what they have listed in their Samsung FAQ section, they are currently working on a cable solution for these USB based cellphones. Hoping they will have something soon.

exidous · 03-04-03, 09:59 PM

it is theoretically impossible for two usb devices to connect. they are peripherials. it wont work with the fanciest cord they dump money into. there has to be a host in order for it to work, processing the information. unless they somehow put a processor between them and power it then code it to work, it would be impossible.

ac3 · 03-11-03, 11:18 PM

After speaking with thesupplynet.com to sort out matters, this is what they reported to me:

They are currently producing a Samsung usb cell phone to Axim cable, which will in fact convert the Samsung usb to a serial interface.

Lead time is approx. 8 weeks, and estimated retail cost is around $59.95 (which is in line with their other cables, including a car charger)

I imagine this solution will also be available for other models as well.

Have to wait and see....

ninjaturtle · 03-11-03, 11:52 PM

Quote:

it is theoretically impossible for two usb devices to connect.

Nothing is impossible!

http://www.usb.org/developers/onthego/

http://www.beyondlogic.org/usb/otghost.htm

drivers for usb mass storage device

The toshiba line of pda's already support usb devices. All you need is a $30 cable directly from toshiba or a generic one elsewhere for $10.

ac3 · 03-12-03, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ninjaturtle
Nothing is impossible!

Except death & taxes! Thanks for the post, Ninjaturtle. But I wonder why Dell has not gone this route, and Toshiba has?

Is it that the Ax does not have a dual mode (host/client) usb chip, or is it just a lack of cable issue for Dell?

Makes me wonder... with PPC2002 & XScale, one would expect certain common platform features...usb being one of them. Guess not.

So, with a Toshiba, I would get a $30 cable, and have full H/C usb functionality. But with my Ax, I have to wait another 2 months for a generic usb cell to Axim serial conversion cable for $60, and that still doesn't give me full usb support other than for the cell?

Bummed.